'We need open discussion'Jump to media playerFaculty of Public Health president Prof John Ashton is calling for a national debate on the age of consent as he claims society is sending out "confused" signals about when sex is permitted.

Call for discussion on lowering age of consent

Leading public health expert Prof John Ashton has called for a national debate on lowering the age of consent, claiming society is sending out "confused" signals about when sex is permitted.

Prof Ashton said: "Countries that have a more open attitude towards teenage sexuality and in fact some of the countries that have lower ages of consent - the young people get involved in sex later and they also have much lower teenage pregnancy rates."